Fuenlabrada Shoot Down Pardubice

Fuenlabrada are taking their fans on a wild, emotional ride this season and it could end up with the team playing for a European title.

Despite facing plenty of adversity and the loss of key players, the Spanish club has persevered and on Tuesday night, it won 79-73 at BK Pardubice to improve to 2-0 in EuroChallenge Last 16 Group K.

Kirk Penney, who poured in 13 of his game-high 27 points in the fourth quarter on Saturday night to lead Fuenlabrada to an important Liga Endesa victory at Valencia Basket, scored 21 points against Pardubice.

The Czechs, after pushing Besiktas hard last week in Istanbul, had the initiative with a 65-55 lead with 1:47 to go in the third quarter after a three-pointer by 20-year-old small forward Ondrej Peterka.

Penney reached in and intercepted a pass by Jiri Cernosek and shortly after buried a three-ball to close the gap to 65-58.

Mike Hall, who only joined Fuenlabrada last week in the wake of Gustavo Ayon's departure to the NBA and injuries to big men Leo Mainoldi and Mouhamed Sene, hit a jumper at the beginning of the fourth to close the gap to five.

The two sides then went almost three minutes without scoring before Sergio Sanchez and Penney hit back-to-back three-pointers for a 66-65 Fuenlabrada advantage.

After Sanchez scored again, this time on a drive, the athletic Corey Muirhead knotted the game with a shot from the great beyond for Pardubice.

But Hall put the visitors back in front to stay with a three-pointer and Sanchez followed with a jumper.

Fuenlabrada held on in the dying stages for another victory.

Having opened Last 16 play with a 73-70 home triumph over BC Nizhny Novgorod, Fuenlabrada are now 2-0 and ever so close to the Quarter-Finals.

Quotes BK JIP Pardubice vs. Fuenlabrada

Porfirio Fisac,  head coach of Baloncesto Fuenlabrada:
"It was a hard game for us. Even though they had problems with injuries they fought hard. We were luckier in finishing, when the game was on the line. But I liked how the home team fought."

Luboš Bartoň, Baloncesto Fuenlabrada:
"We started too cold. The home team came out more agressive than us and we had difficulties in defense and in rebounding. We got better in the second half. Our defense was better and I think we we were able to slow down Pardubice with the zone defense. They had to shoot from outside a lot. Also we hit some big shots at the end."

Jan Slowiak, head coach of BK JIP Pardubice:
"I want to congratulate Fuenlabrada. They showed more experience. In the decisive moments they were able to find their shooter in good positions. We showed a lot of will to win this game today. But in defense we left too much space to their best shooter, Penney. Also they surprised us with their zone. We were running out of energy and we did not drive the ball that well. Our ball movement was bad at that point. Fuenlabrada really showed a lot of experience today in many aspects of the game."

Maurice Hampton, BK JIP Pardubice:
"We got out to a good start. Both teams were agressive. They were able to switch defenses and stop the flow of our offense; they were forcing us to take shots from outside. Later, down the stretch we made some costly turnovers and they were able to capitalize on them. I have to give credit to Fuenlabrada. They play hard. We have to correct our mistakes. I am looking forward to the next game."